Building Setbacks & Zoning in Springfield, MA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Springfield, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Springfield's zoning ordinance sets minimum yard (setback) distances by residential district in Table 5-1 -- 25 feet in Residence A and A-1, 15 feet in Residence B for front yards, with separate side and rear yard minimums for each district.
Springfield Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsSpringfield Zoning Ordinance § 5.1.25; Table 5-1 (§ 5.2.10)
When this Article specifies a minimum YARD dimension, no BUILDING or STRUCTURE shall be erected within the specified distance from the applicable LOT LINE, except as permitted hereinafter.
Structure Height Limits
Springfield caps most residential principal buildings at 2.5 stories and 35 feet under Table 5-1, though the Residence C-2 district allows up to 150 feet and the City Council can permit taller steeples, towers, or monuments.
Springfield Residential Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSpringfield Zoning Ordinance § 5.1.26; Table 5-1 (§ 5.2.10)
When this Article specifies a maximum BUILDING HEIGHT no part of a BUILDING shall exceed the specified number of stories, and no part of a BUILDING shall exceed the maximum height in feet, except as permitted hereinafter.
Lot Coverage Limits
Springfield caps building coverage in residential districts by lot size and zone, from 10% on lots over 60,000 square feet up to 50% in Residential B-1, C and O districts, per Zoning Ordinance Table 5-2.
Springfield Max Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsSpringfield Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.20, Table 5-2 (§ 5.2.21)
5.2.21 The maximum BUILDING COVERAGE in residential districts shall be as follows: Lot Area (sq. ft.) / Maximum BUILDING COVERAGE -- Up to 7,500: 35%; 7,501-20,000: 30%; Res A-1, Res A, Res B -- 20,001-30,000: 25%; 30,001-45,000: 20%; 45,001-60,000: 15%; More than 60,000: 10%. Res B1: Any: 50%. Res C: Any: 50%. Res C-1: Any: 30%. Res C2: Any: 30%. Res O: Any: 50%.